Not Just Kids` Stuff

Drawings Inspire A Knitter`s Artistry

August 05, 1990|By S.R. Carroll.

Children`s drawings inspire the designs for custom knit sweaters by Becky Cella, as she translates their artwork into one-of-a-kind sweaters and vests. For samples, Cella knit some of the early drawings of her daughters. One tiny vest has ducks marching across it as well as a swing set, a school building and a squirrel chomping on an apple that fell from a tree in the background. Another vest is decorated with a child`s rendition of tulips, another with an angel.

Cella got the idea for the sweaters while poring through pattern books, where she saw some designs copied from coloring book drawings. ``They were adorable,`` she said. ``I was thinking about them, and about how kids would rather draw without coloring books.``

The designs go all the way around the sweater or vest. ``I don`t like sweaters with plain backs,`` she said.

Cella taught herself to knit in college and has been devoted to the craft ever since. Friends of her daughter have nicknamed her ``Needles`` since she takes her work with her everywhere, she said.

When people began asking her to make custom sweaters for them, she took her designs over to the Glos House in St. Charles, where they`ve been displayed ever since.

The custom children`s togs cost $55 for a vest and $65 for a sweater. Adult sweaters run anywhere from $100 to $150, depending on materials and the complexity of the design.

Cella said she would like to get a commission for a grandmother`s sweater. It could be designed either with children`s drawings running along the bottom hem of the garment or in randomly placed squares throughout the piece.

Other unique designs Cella knits include custom Christmas stockings and a Chanel-style ladies top that teams knit sleeves, back, collar and buttons with a quilted chintz fabric front.

Her latest sweater designs incorporate portraits of endangered animals-tigers, whales and gorillas. ``In this day and age, you have to think about what`s happening to animals,`` she said, adding that she will donate a percentage of the profits from each of these sweaters to the World Wildlife Fund.